Colorado District Installs Disinfecting Lights on School Buses

In an effort to boost school bus safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Denver Public Schools (DPS) is equipping all of its school buses with disinfecting lights.

The VioSafe lights are reportedly proven to kill germs and provide continuous disinfection of high-touch surfaces, increasing protection against coronavirus and other viruses and bacteria, according to a post on Denver Public Schools Facebook page. The VioSafe lights shine across a 12-foot radius while providing light illumination that is safe for humans and animals, according to the district.

Albert Samora, DPS executive director of transportation services, told CBS4 that the district wants to ensure its bus drivers and staff feel safe getting on board the buses. Regarding the lights, he added that he has heard “a lot of positive feedback.” School district officials also said that while the lights are installed, the buses will continue to be cleaned throughout the day.

So far, a total of 10 DPS buses have been outfitted with the new technology, which looks like typical overhead lights and are available with two settings, high and low, to prevent glare for bus drivers, school district officials told CBS4. DPS plans to install the lights on its entire fleet by the end of January 2021.

Estimated installation costs for the lights are between $1,200 and $1,600 per bus, depending on length, DPS officials told the news source. The district was able to secure funding for the lights with a CARES Act grant, according to CBS4.

View more photos of the lights and the installation process, posted on Denver Public Schools Facebook page, below.